How to Celebrate Christmas in Your 20s

You probably remember not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve. Lying there in anxious anticipation of the bounty of presents the morning would bring, and it was absolutely magical. But then you became a cynical teenager, and it lost its luster. Not the getting stuff part, you were still into that. There’s just something to be said for finally grasping the inherent discomfort of the whole Santa thing, and it just hasn’t been the same since. Don’t worry though, one day you might have a family of your own, and seeing the magic in a child’s eyes will probably renew it for you.

In the meantime, things are going to be feel a little awkward. You’re in your 20s, and you’re treading that strange void between adult responsibilities and a childhood budget. Odds are you’re also away from home, and plane tickets aren’t exactly cheap this time of year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy yourself. You just have to think outside the box, bellow in the face of tradition, and ring in the holiday in your own way. Try out one of these ideas to get started.

A Friendly Affair

You might not be able to make a family gathering, but that doesn’t mean you should be alone on Christmas. Arrange a get together with a bunch of friends and deck the halls. Throw a holiday themed party with plenty of eggnog, and other fun winter cocktails. Make it an ugly sweater party, and give away an award for best in show. The sky’s really the limit here. As long as you’re in good company, you’re guaranteed to have a good time.

Secret Santa/White Elephant

You could always arrange a secret Santa gift exchange too, if you want to spread some cheer. We know what you’re thinking: that gift exchanges are lame. But that’s probably only because you’ve been forced to participate in one at your job, or in your office. If you’re doing it with your closest friends, it’s a completely different story. Let loose, and encourage creativity. You could arrange a theme like gag gifts or inappropriate ones to take some of the pressure off. It’s tried and true, and you can’t go wrong.

Holiday Movie Binge

Can it really be Christmas without Die Hard? How about Home Alone? How about Notting Hill? Que up your favorite holiday movies, and go nuts. Grab some blankets, hot coco, and a snuggle buddy, and keep things low key. Christmas definitely provides a great opportunity to “Netflix and chill” and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of some time off. Veg out like there’s no tomorrow.

No matter what you decide to do, do it with someone you care about who cares about you. That way, whether things get boozy and wild or they stay cozy and comfortable, you’ll always be able to feel the Christmas spirit. Happy holidays, everybody!